Full of his self-importance, Mr. Shellsworth practically clicked his heels as he presented himself. "Lord Loftus, Lady Loftus... why, Lady Rosalyn, how good to see you again." He said this last in a patronizing tone. He did not acknowledge Reverend Mandland or his brother. They were obviously beneath his notice. Instead, with his usual obnoxious flourish, he said, "My lord, what service may I perform for you today?"

"Should have been on the hunt with me," Lord Loftus said. "Almost caught that fox. Next time he won't get by my dogs!"

"Of course not, my lord," Mr. Shellsworth said. He and Lord Loftus often hunted together. The local wags said Shellsworth had his head too far up his lordship's rear to be any help on the hunt.

Lord Loftus held out the deed with distaste. "Here, look at this demmed thing and see what you make of it."

The lawyer accepted it, put his spectacles on his nose, and with a "May I?" sat down at the writing desk beside the window.

The colonel's jaw tightened. He was not pleased. Rosalyn braced herself. A show of his temper would work in her favor, but his brother touched him lightly on the arm, a signal for patience.

"My lord, while Mr. Shellsworth is considering the deed, may I have a private moment with you?" Lady Loftus asked. Without waiting for an answer, she hooked her hand in her husband's arm and drew him aside.

Rosalyn ignored their whisperings and concentrated on Mr. Shellsworth's many dramatic "hmmmms" and "ahs." Couldn't the man read without making a sound?

Mr. Shellsworth set down the contract, pulled his spectacles off his nose, and announced, "My lord, this contract is valid. Not as well written as I would have done, but legal in every respect. Lord Woodford had the power to sell Maiden Hill. It was not entailed."

"How do you know?" Rosalyn demanded.

With an arrogant shrug, the lawyer said, "I know."

He meant he had found out her family's affairs- probably while he'd been wooing her for her nonexistent money. Rosalyn was glad she had never had any inclination toward such a supercilious man. Even his hands were small... with stubby fingers. A shiver went through her.

But the worst part was, she was going to have to admit defeat to Colonel Mandland, a person she disliked more than the lawyer.

"There may be something that can be done,"

Lord Loftus said, commanding the attention of everyone in the room. "Mandland, Reverend, both of you, come to my study." He started for the door.

Mr. Shellsworth hopped to his feet. "My lord, shouldn't I go with you?"

"Yes. Come. Bring the deed," Lord Loftus threw over his shoulder, and the lawyer scurried after the gentlemen, the deed in his hand. Rosalyn bit back a whimper. She hated losing control of those papers.

The moment she was alone with Lady Loftus, she collapsed on the settee. The tray of hot toddies was close by, tempting her to drown her sorrows. "So, that is it," she said quietly. "I've lost."

"No, my dear," Lady Loftus replied, taking the seat beside her and placing a reassuring arm around Rosalyn's shoulders. "I believe my lord and I have thought of the most wonderful solution. One that will make everyone happy."

"What solution is that?"

Lady Loftus pressed her lips together and shook her head, a secretive twinkle in her eyes. "I wish I could tell, but I don't dare jinx the possibilities. Everything will be fine."

Rosalyn wasn't so certain. * * *

Colin followed in Loftus's wake, wishing this farce were over and he could have his deed. He was tired and ready to be done with it all. His lordship led them into a study lined with prints of prized hounds and horses. In one corner, there was even a stuffed hunt hound. Loftus noticed Colin looking at it. "His name was Theodore. Best hunt dog I ever had. Smarter than the fox. Every time. Here, sit down. I've got a proposition to make." He sat himself at the chair behind a huge desk.

The smug fop of a lawyer was the first to take his seat. As he started to sit, Colin said, "May I?" He didn 't wait for permission but took the deed away and tucked it inside his jacket. At last, he had what was his. He settled in a chair his brother had pulled up for him.

Loftus propped his elbow on top of his desk. Colin was fairly certain little work was ever performed in this room. There wasn't even an inkwell. His lordship said with authority, "I have a brilliant idea, one that will resolve everyone's concerns-"

Colin barely listened. He had his deed. It was all he wanted. The rest were mere formalities."-Colonel Mandland should marry Lady Rosalyn."It took a moment for Loftus's words to sink in, and when they did, Colin's response was a definite, "No, absolutely not.""Now see here," Loftus said, rising to his feet. "You haven't given the matter a second's consideration.""I don't need to," Colin said. "I've met the lady. We do not suit.""You've only known her ten minutes.""Ten minutes was long enough." Colin rose, using his height to an advantage. "I understand your concern, my lord. I deeply appreciate your help in seeing this deed returned to me. However, with all due respect,I must leave now. With your permission, my lord?" He couldn't wait to get out the door."Permission denied!" Loftus barked. He looked to Matt. "Is your brother always this abrupt?""I'm afraid so, my lord. He may be the youngest, but he has always been stubborn.""What?" Colin asked Matt. "You think I should marry that woman?""It is a possible solution," Matt suggested.

Colin choked on a response.Loftus slapped his hand on his desk. "Come along, Mandland! I can't see why you can't at leastconsider the idea. You aren't married; Lady Rosalyn isn't married. The two of you marry and everyoneis happy."

"Have you not noticed?" Colin said. "The lady can barely abide me."

His lordship waved away the protest. "There are ways around that. Should be easy for a handsome buck like you."

"Then I don't like her," Colin replied ruthlessly.

"Why not? She's comely enough," Loftus said. "I think she is a demmed fine filly. All her parts in the rightplaces. Oh, I admit she has to have her lead but, again, you should be able to bring her to heel.""I don't want a wife I have to 'bring to heel,'" Colin said."I don't see why not?" Loftus asked. "That's the fun of it!""No," Colin said firmly. He took a backward step toward the door. "When I marry, it will be to someone biddable." He took another step. "Someone sweet-tempered." And then another.

"Someone who wouldn't badger me to death." He put his hand on the door handle. "Now if you willexcuse us, my lord-?""Ah, I know!" Loftus trumpeted. "You need something to sweeten the deal.""There's nothing," Colin said, feigning a regret he didn't feel. He was not going to be bullied into marrying Lady Rosalyn. He opened the door."You can't leave-not until we resolve this!""Good day, my lord.""What if I offered you a seat in the Commons?"Colin froze. He stared at Loftus, uncertain if he'd heard correctly.Shellsworth confirmed what had been said by jumping to his prissy feet and whining, "My lord, you were going to give me the Commons seat."

Loftus ignored him. He looked to Colin. "The Valley has a seat open. It's mine to fill. I mean, there will

be a vote, but-" He shrugged. Everyone knew he would choose the winner. "They've been after me tofill it, but I've not found the right man.""I am the right man!" Shellsworth said. He slammed both hands on the desk. "My lord, you promised the seat to me."

"But I need you here. We hunt together."

"You can hunt with the colonel," the lawyer reasoned.

Loftus shook his head. "Mandland is a man of the world. A war hero. He can represent my interests in

the Commons as well as you could. Maybe better. And, if Lady Rosalyn is his wife, he will have a suitable hostess to entertain in London."

"My wife can entertain," Shellsworth argued."Aye, but what is a farmer's daughter when compared to an earl's offspring?" Loftus said, as if itexplained everything. "Look at what she has done to the Valley. So, what do you say, Mandland? Areyou interested in a seat in the Commons?"

A seat in the Commons could lead to the knighthood that had eluded him. Or, to even higher aspirations, to possibilities that he, a cobbler's son, had not dared dream.

"You like the idea," Loftus said, accurately reading Colin's mind. He leaned across his desk. "The seat is yours if you marry Lady Rosalyn."

"I would have married her for that!" Shellsworth protested. "If you had said something a year ago-"

Loftus ignored him.

Colin looked to his brother. Matt raised his eyebrows, letting him know this was his decision alone. "Why?" Colin asked at last. "Why would you do this for her?"

His lordship shifted uncomfortably. "It's my way of giving her a dowry of sorts. Someone must take care of her."

Loftus didn't strike Colin as the selfless type. Seeing his doubt, his lordship confessed, "My wife dotes on her. Before Lady Rosalyn arrived, my lady was always after me to return to London. She hated the country. Dragged me back to Town every chance she could and made me miserable between times. However, since Lady Rosalyn arrived, I've been allowed to hunt to my heart's content. I want my wife happy. Besides, you will represent me well in the Commons. You know your place. You understand how the world works."

Colin could have confessed that he didn't believe that the purpose of the House of Commons was to represent the aristocracy. But he knew he'd be speaking to a wall. Like all nobles of Colin's acquaintance, Loftus assumed everyone would hop to his command. Colin wasn't fool enough to say anything that would cause the offer to be withdrawn.

In fact, marriage to Lady Rosalyn was suddenly sounding like a capital idea.

"I was thinking I needed a wife," Colin said, warming up to the idea. He should be able to work his way around her prickliness. Of course, once they were married, they didn't have to spend time together. He could live his own life in London, and she could manage Maiden Hill and entertain Lady Loftus.

His lordship clapped his hands together. "Good! The seat is yours, that is, once you and Lady Rosalyn are duly married-"

"But the seat should be mine!" Shellsworth stepped between Colin and Loftus's desk. "I've busted my back, done everything you've asked me to do with the expectation of being rewarded with that seat."

All goodwill vanished from Loftus's eye. In its place was the shadow of a vindictive temper. "Shellsworth, I've made my decision. Don't push me."

For a second, the lawyer appeared ready to fight, and then he crumpled. "Yes, my lord." He stepped out of Colin's way.

"Very well," Loftus said. "Now, mind you, Mandland, I expect you to treat our Lady Rosalyn well. I know she likes to pull on the bit, but use a gentle hand and she'll bend to you."

"I'm certain," Colin agreed. He also knew without a doubt Lady Rosalyn would not like being compared to a horse. Nor did he think she would be overjoyed at knowing they had been planning her future. "What happens if she refuses my offer? I have no control over her acceptance, and I will still want the seat."

"She won't refuse," Loftus answered.

"She might," Colin said. "She has a mind of her own."

"Then it will be your job to change it. Perk up, Mandland, she wants Maiden Hill. She wouldn't think of saying no. Come along now. Let us return to the ladies." He came out from behind his desk and walked out of the room, ready to inform Lady Rosalyn of his decision.

Matt caught Colin's arm. He whispered hurriedly, "Have you thought about this, and do you truly understand what it means?"

"I want the title," Colin answered. "The end justifies the means."

"But the end may be a long way off. In fact, until death you do part."

Colin laughed. "With Lady Rosalyn's temperament, that could be tomorrow." Gleefully ignoring the glower Shellsworth threw at his back, he reassured his brother, "Don't worry. Lady Rosalyn certainly can't be more of a trial than the French were."

"I wouldn't place a wager on that," was Mart's serious response.

Chapter Four.

Rosalyn stood the moment she heard the gentlemen outside in the hall. Lady Loftus rose with her.

Rosalyn held out her hand, and her dear friend gave it a squeeze.

"Everything will be fine," her ladyship repeated, as she had continually for the past half hour or so.

Rosalyn prayed she was right.

Lord Loftus was the first through the sitting room door. His smile was full of confidence, and the momenthis eyes landed on his wife, he gave her a nod. Lady Loftus released her breath with a sigh of relief. "Itwill all be fine," she said with more assurance than before.

Then the Mandland brothers entered the room. Reverend Mandland appeared gravely concerned. Shelooked to the colonel. He was smiling.She didn't see any sign of the deed. Her one hope was that Mr. Shellsworth still had it.The slam of the front door broke the silence."What was that?" Lady Loftus asked."Shellsworth," her husband answered. He gave a dismissive wave. "You know his tiffs.""He's upset? Should we talk to him?" his wife said."I will later," Lord Loftus said. "After he has had a chance to regain his senses."Rosalyn's heart dropped to her feet. The lawyer would not have left if he had the deed. She had lost.

Lord Loftus looked to the colonel. "Well?" he prompted. "Get on with it."A flicker of irritation crossed Colonel Mandland's face, so swift and brief that Rosalyn could haveimagined it. Certainly, Lord Loftus didn't notice. However, having lived most of her life swallowing thewill of others, Rosalyn understood immediately. The colonel was being pushed, and he was not a manwho liked being pushed.

She also sensed the "push" did not bode well for her.

Lady Loftus let go of her hand and moved to stand beside her husband, leaving Rosalyn alone to face Colonel Mandland.

"You won," she said quietly.

There was a beat of silence. He said, "This isn't a situation where either of us wins. We both lose something. I lose goodwill; you lose your home."

Yes, she did. The thought of leaving the sweet haven of the Ribble valley almost broke her. Her throatached as she forced back disappointment. She was a Wellborne. They were made of stern stuff. Had shenot proved that over and over again?

"Life is not a fair game," she said, her voice tighter than she wished. She offered her gloved hand.

"Congratulations, Colonel. Maiden Hill is a wonderful estate."

He glanced down at the proffered hand and then raised his gaze to meet hers. For the first time, she noticed his eyes weren't dark but a bluish gray, like storm clouds.

"Lady Rosalyn, will you do me the honor of being my wife?"

Rosalyn stood still, uncertain if she'd heard him correctly or if she was growing as fanciful as Covey. Shegave her head a shake to startle her senses. She'd thought he'd asked her to marry him?"Oh, my dear, that is so wonderful!" Lady Loftus said in ringing tones. She threw her arms around Rosalyn. "You are going to be married, married, married!"He had proposed to her.All her life, she had waited for a proper proposal of marriage, and now she had one-from a man she disliked and distrusted. A man who'd taken everything of value away from her.